When a small ad hoc committee distributed $200,000 in commuter toll money to exclusive private schools, its members violated a basic axiom of government: The people's money should go to the people's schools.

From 1998 to 2001, the committee generously passed $40 million from the Delaware River Port Authority to favored projects. Some of the money went to publicly minded entities such as the Philly Pops, but $100,000 grants went to two Center City private schools - the Philadelphia School and Greene Towne School.

Harried commuters handed over tolls to the region's least needy people, those who can pay tuition of more than $6,500 for Greene Towne and more than $9,000 for the Philadelphia School. It was Robin Hood in reverse, taking from the working class to pay the rich.

The culprit was State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo (D., Phila.). He helped connect committee members to officials at the private schools his children had attended.

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FYI-The author of this article runs a terrific blog called Downstown. Check it out...

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